Coronary Angiography (CAG)VR-CAPANCT07483619
Virtual Reality During Coronary Angiography: Effects on Pain and Anxiety
A study testing Virtual Reality Headset in people with Coronary Angiography (CAG) and Anxiety, run by Koç University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study investigated whether virtual reality (VR) can reduce pain and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary angiography is a common cardiac procedure performed under local anesthesia while patients remain awake, which can cause significant pain and anxiety. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Coronary Angiography (CAG), Anxiety, Pain
- What is being tested?
- Virtual Reality Headset
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2022to 1 Feb 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18 years or older
- Scheduled for elective coronary angiography
- Conscious and oriented
- Able to communicate verbally
- No prior coronary angiography experience
- Willing to participate and provided written informed consent
Who cannot join
- History of psychiatric disorder or use of psychiatric medication
- Visual or hearing impairment that would prevent VR use
- Hemodynamic instability
- Emergency coronary angiography
- Inability to complete the questionnaires
- Prior experience with virtual reality
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Beyond the Cath Lab Curtain: Virtual Reality's Impact on Pain and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study investigated whether virtual reality (VR) can reduce pain and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary angiography is a common cardiac procedure performed under local anesthesia while patients remain awake, which can cause significant pain and anxiety.
Adult patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were randomly assigned to two groups: one group watched a nature-themed VR video during the procedure, while the control group received standard care. Pain and anxiety levels were measured before and after the procedure using validated scales.
The findings of this study may help healthcare providers offer a simple, non-pharmacological method to improve patient comfort during coronary angiography.
Read the detailed description
Coronary angiography is one of the most frequently performed invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures. Although the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, patients remain conscious throughout, and procedural pain and anxiety are commonly reported. Non-pharmacological interventions to manage these symptoms are increasingly being explored as adjuncts to standard care.
Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that engages the user's visual and auditory senses, potentially distracting patients from procedural discomfort. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of VR on pain and anxiety in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.
Patients were randomized into two groups using a sealed envelope method. The VR group watched a pre-selected nature-themed video through a VR headset throughout the procedure. The control group received standard care without any additional intervention. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the procedure.
The study was conducted at a cardiology unit in Istanbul, Turkey, and was approved by the institutional ethics committee (Approval No: 2019-84). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment.
- Conditions
- Coronary Angiography (CAG), Anxiety, Pain, Virtual Reality
- Being tested
- Virtual Reality Headset
- Keywords
- Virtual reality, Coronary Angiography, Pain Management, Anxiety, Non-pharmacological Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders, Pain, Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Virtual Reality HeadsetDevice
Participants in the VR group wore a virtual reality headset and watched a pre-selected nature-themed video throughout the coronary angiography procedure. The VR intervention was applied in addition to standard care and was maintained for the entire duration of the procedure.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Group | Experimental | Participants watched a nature-themed virtual reality video through a VR headset throughout the coronary angiography procedure in addition to standard care. Receives: Device: Virtual Reality Headset |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants received standard care without any additional intervention during coronary angiography. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm horizontal scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.
Measured: Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure
Secondary outcomes (1)
State-Trait Anxiety Level Measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S)
Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which measures state anxiety (STAI-S) and trait anxiety (STAI-T). State anxiety reflects current anxiety levels, while trait anxiety reflects general anxiety disposition. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety.
Measured: Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2022
- Primary completion1 Feb 2023
- Study completion1 Feb 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Coronary Angiography (CAG)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Koç University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Meryem Ayvaz, Koç University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07483619
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2019-84
- Acronym
- VR-CAPA
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 19 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Beyond the Cath Lab Curtain: Virtual Reality's Impact on Pain and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07483619
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VR-CAPA / 2019-84
- Conditions
- Coronary Angiography (CAG), Anxiety, Pain, Virtual Reality
- Keywords
- Virtual reality, Coronary Angiography, Pain Management, Anxiety, Non-pharmacological Intervention, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Koç UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Feb 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study investigated whether virtual reality (VR) can reduce pain and anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary angiography is a common cardiac procedure performed under local anesthesia while patients remain awake, which can cause significant pain and anxiety.
Adult patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were randomly assigned to two groups: one group watched a nature-themed VR video during the procedure, while the control group received standard care. Pain and anxiety levels were measured before and after the procedure using validated scales.
The findings of this study may help healthcare providers offer a simple, non-pharmacological method to improve patient comfort during coronary angiography.
Detailed description
Coronary angiography is one of the most frequently performed invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures. Although the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, patients remain conscious throughout, and procedural pain and anxiety are commonly reported. Non-pharmacological interventions to manage these symptoms are increasingly being explored as adjuncts to standard care.
Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that engages the user's visual and auditory senses, potentially distracting patients from procedural discomfort. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of VR on pain and anxiety in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.
Patients were randomized into two groups using a sealed envelope method. The VR group watched a pre-selected nature-themed video through a VR headset throughout the procedure. The control group received standard care without any additional intervention. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the procedure.
The study was conducted at a cardiology unit in Istanbul, Turkey, and was approved by the institutional ethics committee (Approval No: 2019-84). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Group | Experimental | Device: Virtual Reality HeadsetParticipants watched a nature-themed virtual reality video through a VR headset throughout the coronary angiography procedure in addition to standard care. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants received standard care without any additional intervention during coronary angiography. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Aged 18 years or older
- Scheduled for elective coronary angiography
- Conscious and oriented
- Able to communicate verbally
- No prior coronary angiography experience
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- History of psychiatric disorder or use of psychiatric medication
- Visual or hearing impairment that would prevent VR use
- Hemodynamic instability
- Emergency coronary angiography
- Inability to complete the questionnaires
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality HeadsetParticipants in the VR group wore a virtual reality headset and watched a pre-selected nature-themed video throughout the coronary angiography procedure. The VR intervention was applied in addition to standard care and was maintained for the entire duration of the procedure. | Device | Virtual Reality Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time frame: Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure
Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm horizontal scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.
1 secondary outcome
State-Trait Anxiety Level Measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S)
Time frame: Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Mar 2026.
Related trials for Coronary Angiography (CAG)
Recruiting
CCTA-Based vs CAG-Based CABG: A Multicenter Pragmatic Non-Inferiority Trial
Coronary Artery Disease, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Recruiting
The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Vital Signs and State Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography
Coronary Angiography (CAG)
Recruiting
Serpentine vs Traditional Hydrophilic Guidewire Tracking in Complex Radial Anatomy
Transradial Access(TRA), Coronary Angiography (CAG)
Recruiting
Safety and Efficacy of CAG and PCI Via Distal Transradial Access in Patients With Small Vessels
Coronary Artery Disease
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Stress, Muscle Tension, and Physiological Parameters Before Angiography
Coronary Angiography (CAG)
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Virtual Reality Headset in people with Coronary Angiography (CAG) and Anxiety, run by Koç University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (time frame: Measured before and immediately after the coronary angiography procedure). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Mar 2026.